Health officials are now investigating four Zika virus cases in Florida that may not be travel-related.
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On Thursday, FDA officials announced they are now conducting an epidemiological investigation into four non-travel related cases of Zika virus, two of each are in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Until recently, all USA cases of Zika, including those in Florida, were linked to people who traveled to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean with outbreaks.
Blood banks in the two counties said they would begin screening donations for Zika virus using an FDA approved test beginning Friday, but it was unclear whether or when collections in South Florida had ceased Thursday.
Roughly 1,660 people in the USA have been diagnosed with Zika after traveling or having sexual relations with a traveler.
“Women and men who reside in areas of active Zika virus transmission should talk with their healthcare provider about attempting conception”, it warns. The virus can move through the placental barrier and attack fetuses, causing birth defects, including microcephaly, or even fetal death.
Florida health department officials are urging residents and visitors to cooperate in the investigation, which began Wednesday, and will include door-to-door outreach and urine sample collection.
Should an outbreak of the virus be confirmed in Florida, Schaffner said the health department would likely send out mosquito control experts to spray affected homes with insecticides. So far this year, Florida has recorded 383 cases of Zika virus, with 55 cases involving pregnant women.
“Remember for every imported case being reported, there are dozens of others not being reported”, Hotez said.
With Zika being one of several diseases that can be spread by mosquitoes, Anderson recommends seeing a medical professional when experiencing any symptoms. About half of Florida’s cases are in Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Zika is spread primarily by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito.
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The CDC advises pregnant women not to travel to an area where Zika transmission is ongoing, and to use insect repellent and wear long trousers and long-sleeved shirts if they are in those areas.
